NATO brands Russian nuclear move 'dangerous, irresponsible'
BRUSSELS, March 27: The NATO alliance on Sunday condemned Russia's announcement that it would deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus as "dangerous and irresponsible". But spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said the western allies had not yet "seen any changes in Russia's nuclear posture that would lead us to adjust our own." Ukraine has sought an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss Moscow's plan, announced Saturday, to deploy tactical warheads to neighbouring Belarus. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, with some of its troops crossing the border through its ally Belarus, and Kyiv sees the move as "nuclear blackmail".-AFP
Macron holds crisis meeting
PARIS, Mar 27: President Emmanuel Macron summoned government ministers for a crisis meeting on Monday, as tensions ran high a day before another major day of strikes and protests against his pension reforms. Nearly two weeks after Macron rammed the new law through parliament using a special provision sidestepping any vote, unions have vowed no let-up in mass protests to get the government to back down. They have called for another big day of action on Tuesday. — AFP
Former Taiwan president visits China
SHANGHAI, Mar 27: Taiwan's ex-President Ma Ying-jeou became on Monday the first sitting or former Taiwanese leader to visit mainland China since the Communist revolution in 1949, saying he hoped to bring about peace and improve relations. Ma's office said he was met at Shanghai's Pudong airport by officials including Chen Yuanfeng, deputy head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office. The visit has been criticised by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of Ma's successor Tsai Ing-wen. — Reuters
Myanmar junta chief vows crackdown
NAYPYIDAW, Mar 27: Flanked by tanks and missile launchers, Myanmar's junta chief Monday vowed no let up in a crackdown on opponents and insisted the military would hold elections-weeks after admitting it did not control enough territory to allow a vote.Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government over two years ago after making unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud. — AFP
200 Rohingyas land in Indonesia
PEUREULAK, March 27: At least 184 Rohingya refugees, including many women and children, landed in Indonesia's westernmost province on Monday, officials said, after they were dropped at sea by boat and made to swim ashore. Thousands of the mostly Muslim Rohingya, heavily persecuted in Myanmar, risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often in poor-quality boats, in an attempt to reach Malaysia or Indonesia. — AFP
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